Pocketwatches

[101 Pathfinder]

In my vest pocket when wearing a vest or as FDR did it, in the suit coat pocket with the chain running from the lapel button hole.


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[sola fide]

My pocket watches, bought the pair a few years back, only used them couple of times.






can

 

[viclip]

Very nice Hamilton & Elgin pocket watches!

What sizes are they?

If you've run their serial numbers through the engine at https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/ then perhaps you could tell us a bit more about them including dates of manufacture & their technical specs.

 

[sola fide]

I will check and get back to you. My watchmaker friend gave me some info, but I forgot as usual.

 

[Shangas]

I bought this as a Christmas present for myself about two weeks ago...

A Hamilton 992 RR chronometer pocketwatch, from 1925.

W/gold-filled case, paired with a sterling silver chain.

 

[viclip]

I bought this as a Christmas present for myself about two weeks ago...

A Hamilton 992 RR chronometer pocketwatch, from 1925.

W/gold-filled case, paired with a sterling silver chain.

That double sunk dial with its large swirly black hour chapter & discrete red minute chapter, is spectacular & appears immaculate.

I'll bet it's a great timekeeper, those Hamilton 992's were so very well made.

 

[Shangas]

That dial is in FREAKISH condition. There's no chips, cracks, hairlines or anything on it. So far, it's keeping good time. I love the blue steel hands on it. It's a feature I've always loved on old pocketwatches. Blue hands.

 

[viclip]

ILLINOIS Model 4 Grade "SANGAMO"

This pocket watch was recently retrieved from my watchmaker, here's a couple of shots:

Dial Side, the dial being a so-called conversion dial allowing a hunting configuration movement to be placed into an open-face configured case such that the crown is at 12 o'clock (rather than 3 o'clock):

Train Side, visible courtesy of a saleman's display case featuring a transparent back cover:

The "Sangamo" name was derived from Sangamon County & the associated river, which are located in Illinois, being where the Springfield watch factory operated by the Illinois Watch Company was located.

This watch is 16-size with 21 ruby jewels utilizing gold settings & with gold-filled train wheels. It was adjusted at the factory to 6 positions plus temperature & isochronism. Such watches took up to a year to complete from start to finish. The hands are the original plum color.


The Sangamo grade was among Illinois' highest grades. The open-face version was railroad grade as was my hunting configuration specimen but the hunting version would not be railway approved at the time of my watch's manufacture namely 1910 (hunting cases were frowned on due to the front cover obstructing the face). However installing the conversion dial as I did, effectively transforms the hunting configuration into open-face albeit with the seconds bit at 3 o'clock rather than at 6 o'clock. I think that most railway time inspectors would have been inclined to approve it that way for railway service provided that the 30 second per week timing variance requirement was met. So far this watch is meeting that requirement straight off of the timing machine without any tweaking.

 

[BobHufford]

Can anyone recommend a list of reputable sellers of vintage pocket watches? Looking to start out in the $300 or less range and would like one that has been serviced.

 

[M Hatman]

We actually have some watch people around in a couple of antique malls nearby......all serviced and reasonable prices..nice selections too....would require quite a road trip for you....I cannot think of any near you.
I am always leary of internet sales....though if you get one cheap online......,I do have a great watch guy in town.....average complete service is around $150.
M

 

[viclip]

Can anyone recommend a list of reputable sellers of vintage pocket watches? Looking to start out in the $300 or less range and would like one that has been serviced.

Hi Bob, the Pocketwatch thread may not be overly popular so you might consider posting a wanted to buy notice in the Classified thread. Perhaps there are fellow Loungers having recently serviced pocket watches which they are desirous of selling. I've had unsolicited offers made to me by members, one even offered to send me his pocket watch "on approval". Gosh, you don't find many trusting sellers like that any more!

I'm a bit of a mechanical timepiece fancier with a particular love for pocket watches. If I can offer any guidance, feel free to let me know ~ it's not an imposition for me, I consider it greatly enjoyable to assist. Incidentally I recently took delivery of the authoritative 2018 "Price Guide" respecting used watches which I would gladly consult upon request in order to provide at least some ballpark figure as to what a prospective acquisition might be worth.

 

[BobHufford]

If I can offer any guidance, feel free to let me know ~ it's not an imposition for me, I consider it greatly enjoyable to assist. Incidentally I recently took delivery of the authoritative 2018 "Price Guide" respecting used watches which I would gladly consult upon request in order to provide at least some ballpark figure as to what a prospective acquisition might be worth.

Thanks viclip! I'm just dipping my toe in the water at this point, but will take you up on the offer of consultation when needed.

 

[viclip]

Thanks viclip! I'm just dipping my toe in the water at this point, but will take you up on the offer of consultation when needed.

I can't help but think that an Illinois pocket watch might hang well on you, seeing that you hail from Springfield Missouri. Illinois watches were made in Springfield Illinois until about 1932. The Illinois Watch Company was a stand-alone entity until 1928 when it became a division of the Hamilton Watch Co. Hamilton had intended to keep the Springfield IL plant operational indefinitely however the ravages of the Great Depression caused them to shutter the Illinois factory & re-locate further production of "Illinois" watches to the Hamilton shop in Lancaster PA.

Anyways you could tell people that your pocket watch was made in Springfield, slyly neglecting to mention the relevant state ~ just my idea of horological humor I suppose.

 

[BobHufford]

I can't help but think that an Illinois pocket watch might hang well on you, seeing that you hail from Springfield Missouri.

Funny ... I find myself drawn to these as well.

 

[Twelvefret]

Can anyone recommend a list of reputable sellers of vintage pocket watches? Looking to start out in the $300 or less range and would like one that has been serviced.

Bill Marshall 865-566-3669

 

[BobHufford]

Bill Marshall 865-566-3669

Thanks Twelvefret!

 

[Twelvefret]

Thanks Twelvefret!

Just so you know. He is servicing my 2000 Hamilton automatic. He has sold me a pristine 992B Hamilton (1951) and a pristine Hamilton 940 (1901). Not a typo, 1901!!!!!!

 

[M Hatman]

Picked this up recently.....7 jewel Elgin....1928. 10K white gold filled case. I really love the detailed hands.....
M

 

[M Hatman]

I need to find out more about this 15 jewel Supreme, two adjustments . I was really drawn to the dial on this. Simular to the Elgin above, it has a 14K white gold filled case.
M

 

[viclip]

Picked this up recently.....7 jewel Elgin....1928. 10K white gold filled case. I really love the detailed hands.....
M
View attachment 114047

I really like that shaped case!

Is this a 12-size "gentleman's" watch?